Monday, February 27, 2017

You may remember the Chunky Cabled Cozy I have talked about a couple times, though you have seen it worked up in the Oatmeal colorway. This Berry Blast one was my original piece. After I worked this one up, I found the Happily Hooked Magazine submission call, and sent in my design. After being chosen, I was asked to work in a more rustic, neutral colorway and so came the Oatmeal one. I have been holding onto this for almost a year, I just moved though, and while going through my projects, stash and other boxed up stuff, I've decided to run a giveaway! Winter may almost be over, but you still have plenty of time to wear this beautiful, warm and soft Berry Blast Chunky Cabled Cozy!

This giveaway will run from Monday February 27th at 12pm EST through Saturday March 11th at 5pm EST. I will send out the winning notification Saturday evening by email, and the winner will have 24 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen. Giveaway is open internationally! Cozy will ship through the USPS, and include a tracking number.

Counters restart everyday so you can re-enter!

If you love to bake, craft and crochet too, I would love to see your photos and get your recommendations! Join the EyeLoveKnots Crafting Community to share your creations, and see what other's are up to!If you've made this cozy, PLEASE share your version on Ravelry - Chunky Cabled Capelet. Check out the EyeLoveKnots Ravelry page to keep track of all your EyeLoveKnots favorites in your que, and share your WIPS and finished projects!Don't miss out on new crochet patterns, reviews, jewelry tutorials and more! Subscribe to EyeLoveKnots by using the box on the right side toolbar, or follow me via Bloglovin!

Interested in Custom Ordering a Chunky Cabled Capelet?

Visit the EyeLoveKnots Etsy Shop to see what I have available! Use the search box to type in what you have in mind, or feel free to send me a message with your custom request. I am happy to make in any custom size and/or color. View color options here: Deborah Norville's Serenity Chunky.

Saturday, February 25, 2017

I pattern tested this for my friend Rebeckah of Rebeckah's Treasures. I am always blown away at her creativity, and the energy and detail she puts into each of her patterns and projects. She designed this as part of the Designers Potpourri CAL, a year long crochet-a-long featuring four designers and 15 free crochet patterns! I had fun testing this pattern out, and didn't want to take off the headband once I was finished. Initially, I grabbed a skein I thought was light gray and was just going to go with it, but it ended up being Ivory and the shell pattern really came through beautifully! (Though, I think it would have in the light gray as well, or any lighter color - I think a darker color may be harder to see the shells).Are you a raveler? If so, make sure to favorite this Adjustable Shells Headbandand link up your project to it!

After working Part 1, I pulled out my H8/5mm hook to shape the tube, then I used my 4.5mm hook to pull the rubber band through. Probably much easier to hook a safety pin around the rubber band and pull through, but because I didn't have one, the hook worked too.

The pattern is very detailed with suggestions for starting stitches. I wanted a thinner headband so I started with 13 single crochet onto the band, which left me with two shells. I worked a total of 57 rows to equal 16.25" long (including the band, which is 2.5" long when folded).

Take 2: After working a couple other headbands, I prefer a 15.5" long piece. It feels better fitted. To achieve this, I worked 48 rows, and then joined.

*Originally, I worked my Ivory headband with a chain 2 as the beginning stitch count. After working the whole piece, and sewing together, I found that my headband was too tight along the edge where the last stitch is worked into the beginning chain 2. I thought maybe a chain 3, or chainless double crochet would be alternatives next go 'round. In between headbands though, I worked the Staggered Stitch Cowl, which I faced a similar issue - but worse! To help ease the side of the cowl, I worked a chain 4, and then worked the last stitch into the 3rd chain of this beginning chain. I decided to try this on my second headband, and it worked out perfectly!

At the end, I chained 1 and turned. Then I folded the work as to work across, and I did so as the pattern stated working onto the other side of the band. Once across, I fastened off, and turned my piece so the side just worked on was the wrong side.

Overall, this is a great tutorial chalk full of lots of helpful information and photos, and the pattern is really easy to follow and memorize and produces a beautiful headband with great crispness using cotton thread. I can't wait to bust out thread from my stash and make a bunch more in other colors!

Don't miss out on new crochet patterns, reviews, jewelry tutorials and more! Subscribe to EyeLoveKnots by using the box on the right side toolbar, or follow me via Bloglovin!

Don't Crochet but Interested in Purchasing a Shells Headband?

Visit the EyeLoveKnots Etsy Shop to see what I have available! Use the search box to type in what you have in mind, or feel free to send me a message with your custom request. I am happy to make in any custom size and/or color. View color options here: Classic #10 Thread.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Just a reminder: Don't forget to enter the Yarn Giveaway for two skeins of Andes Alpaca Yarn and share your Granny-Spiration projects in the link up! Visit my Chunky-Like Preemie Granny Square Beanies to enter the giveaway and link up. Even if you entered already - the timers restart every day, and you can now enter again!! Keep working on your Granny-Spiration projects too because we'll be back with more projects for you Saturday, March 4th with another link up and giveaway!Featured in the collage are your bloghop hosts. Left to right, then top to bottom:Granny Square Floral Wall Hanging - Atelier Marie-Lucienne. At first glance of the photo, you are taking away by the beautiful flowers, but after following the link, you come to a gorgeous wall hanging created with a simple granny square embellished by those beautiful flowers. This is a great addition to your home approaching the Spring Season, or as is for Valentine's Day. Post includes free crochet instructions for the flowers. I am not much for blocking, but I could see myself working something like this and then attaching it to a canvas - like Sigrid from Kat Kat Katoen did last month with her Granny Canvas.Granny Square Diaper and Wipes Organizer - Rhelena. Free Crochet Pattern and Photo Tutorial from [R]Helena! I am really in love with this idea. I do not have any kids so I wouldn't need it for diapers, but I am thinking it would be a great addition to the tv table next to where I do much of my crocheting to hold my yarn, some notions and WIPs. And! If you want some more stability, sew the square bottoms to some stiff plastic canvas. I use it in my purses, and it works like a charm to better keep the shape, and is very sturdy. Granny Phone Cozy - Kat Kat Katoen. I have made a similar cozy using a regular granny square, but I much prefer the look of the solid granny square as Sigrid has done - especially the one done up in a variegated colorway! This is a nice project to work up as a treat to yourself, or for gift gifting. And the use of the rubber band - genius!Granny Heart Tote - Crochet is the Way. What a fun way to dress up a bag. This is an easy way to show a little extra love when gift gifting. You could even follow her pattern for a smaller heart, put some felt on the back and use as a tag, or make them in different colors to differentiate. This is a free crochet pattern with photo tutorial.

Be My Valentine Heart - The Philosopher's Wife. Such a sweet little heart with a fun twist! This heart is worked in worsted weight yarn, so I am assuming it's a larger heart which I think would probably make a nice little coaster. Worked in thinner yarns would also make this perfect as a applique to add to a hat, shirt pocket, or even a card! (just to name a few). Free crochet pattern included for us :)

Carousel Blanket - Hakelfieber Austria. This blanket is just breathtaking! Truly a work of art. Looking at it, and following along with the construction of it, you can see lots of hard work, time and yarn has gone into this (and maybe some cussing, long sighs and ice cream consuming - especially when it came to weaving in all those ends!). I am in love. I have pinned the pattern (from Stylecraft) so that when I have a clearer schedule, I can try my hand at it, and I've subscribed to the Stylecraft newsletter because I want in on the next CAL.Lastly, my Chunky-Like Preemie Granny Square Beanies! These little beanies don't take hardly any yarn, and work up so quickly. Please consider working up a set, and donating! They would also work for dolls :)

Join the EyeLoveKnots Crafting Community to share your creations, and see what other's are up to!Don't miss out on new crochet patterns, reviews, jewelry tutorials and more! Subscribe to EyeLoveKnots by using the box on the right side toolbar, or follow me via Bloglovin!You May Also Like...

Saturday, February 11, 2017

I have been working on a child size hat that has taken quite more calculation and reworking than I anticipated, and a hooded scarf that had to be taken completely apart because I made the rooky mistake of twisting my beginning chain. I was in need of a quick, easy and beautiful project to work up and share, and thought this Sofia Cowl would be great! I love the simple pattern, and beautiful colorway of the Boutique Treasure yarn. I will definitely be working up many more of these!Materials: - Lightweight worsted weight yarn - I used about 2/3's of one skein of Red Heart's Boutique Treasure (as suggested in pattern) in the Abstract colorway - L11/8mm Crochet Hook - #18 Tapestry Needle for Weaving in Ends - Sofia Cowl, Free Crochet Pattern from Red Heart YarnsMaterial Notes: Any yarn will work for this project - sizes will vary. My suggested Yarn Alternatives: Caron's Simply Soft, Deborah Norville's Everyday Soft, Lion Brand's Wool Ease, Bernat's Sheep(ish)Time Spent: I was able to work up this cowl in about an hour and a half.Measurements: 4" Wide by 59" in LengthPattern Notes:

This cowl is more like an infinity scarf - measuring 59" in length. Next time I work this up, I would add some width to it - another 1-2". It will take some experimenting to get the pattern right, but I think it would lay and wear better.I would like to also make one more cowl sized, which is easily doable.I choose not to begin my cowl with a foundation double crochet, as suggested in the pattern. I love using the foundation double crochet for a couple reasons - 1) it's great to use when you are designing a project that you aren't sure how many stitches it's going to take to make it to the width you want; 2) when you need added flexibility to a project worked in the round, such as a neck warmer, a shirt, a skirt or pants, a hat worked bottom up, fingerless gloves, etc. The reason why I did not use it with this cowl was because the cowl was so long that it did not need added flexibility - With the given length it could easily be doubled around the neck. I just started with a beginning chain, and worked the second round as double crochets around.The pattern was so easy to follow, and work up. After the first repeat, I didn't even need to look at the pattern for the second repeat.

Don't miss out on new crochet patterns, reviews, jewelry tutorials and more! Subscribe to EyeLoveKnots by using the box on the right side toolbar, or follow me via Bloglovin!

Saturday, February 4, 2017

Yay! This is the second post of the year for the 2017 GrannySpiration Challenge! I am so excited to see what everyone has been working on, especially you! At the end of this post, you will find the information for this month's giveaway, and link up.I have been receiving newsletters from The Preemie Project for quite some time now, and have noted down ideas, and started and stopped my fair share of patterns, but I decided it was finally time to start poppin' them out.I am calling this one Chunky-Like even though it uses worsted weight yarn, because on a preemie baby, worsted weight is going to appear large and chunky. I do not suggest using #5 chunky/bulky yarn for preemie hats.

Please make sure to stop by our other co-host and see what they've been working on too. In the image above, you'll find their projects (and mine) from last month's challenge.

Materials: - Small Amount of Worsted Weight Yarn - I used Red Heart's Soft Yarn in Really Red, White and Rosy Blush - I9/5.5mm Crochet Hook - #18 Tapestry Needle for Weaving in EndsMaterial Notes: If you use a different yarn, make sure you find a soft acrylic or cotton blend - do not use wool. Choose something that you know can withstand being machine washed and dried multiple times, because it most likely will be. Aside from the Red Heart Soft, you may also like to try Deborah Norville's Everyday Soft. I am estimating you can make 8-10 hats or so per skein of Red Heart's Soft - maybe even a couple more depending on the size you are working.Time Spent: I had the 1-1 1/2 lb and 2-3 lb sizes done in just under 15 minutes each, the 3-5 lb done in just under 20 minutes and the 6-8 lb hat done in just under 30 minutes. That less than an hour and a half for all four!Measurements:The 1 - 1 1/2 lb size has a crown of 2 1/2" in diameter, a circumference of nearly 7 7/8" to fit a head size of 8" - 9 1/4", and is 3 1/8" in length.The 2 - 3 lb size has a crown of 3 1/4" in diameter, a circumference of nearly 10 1/4" to fit a head size of 9 3/4" - 11", and is also 3 1/2" in length.The 3 - 5 lb size has a crown of 3 1/2" in diameter, a circumference of nearly 11" to fit a head size of 11 1/4" - 12 3/4", and is 4 1/2" in length.The 6 - 8 lb size has a crown of 4 1/8" in diameter, a circumference of nearly 13" to fit a head size of 13" - 14", and is 5 1/8" in length.*Stretch depends on your yarn brand selected. The Red Heart Soft (and Everyday Soft) yarn has about an inch to an inch and a half, while a yarn such as Hobby Lobby's I Love This Yarn has about two inches worth. Typically, I work my hats two inches smaller than needed to account for the stretch, but following the Preemie Project guidelines, they would like each hat to be just one inch smaller than the given sizes and so I have worked this pattern accordingly.Gauge:With Soft Yarn and an I9/5.5mm Crochet Hook = 4" x 4": Chain 19, DC in the 4th chain, and in each stitch across. (16 DC) R2 - R8: Chain 2, turn. DC in the 2nd DC and in each DC across. Fasten Off.Abbreviations: SC - Single Crochet DC - Double CrochetPattern Notes: Beginning chain 2 does not count as a stitch in the crown, but does in the body of the hat. Beginning chain 1 in the last round does not count as a stitch.Join to the first stitch of each round, unless otherwise stated.Crown is worked (and written) in a non-traditional manner to help keep seam straight. You will work the last stitch of the round into the same place as the first stitch, however, it will be on the right side of the beginning chain.The last round of each hat is a round of single crochet's. I personally like how the round of single crochet creates a nice, crisp finish, and I feel provides a better fit for the hats. The Preemie Project is concerned that a round of single crochet's will make the hat opening to tight to fit over the baby's head, so make sure you work this round loosely. If you tend to crochet tighter, you may want to omit this round or perhaps work it with a hook size bigger.

02.26.17 Update:A couple days after I posted this, Linda of The Preemie Project contacted me to say my sizes were a little off. I misinterpreted the information on the site, using the given sizes as the head sizes instead of the hat sizes, and took off an extra inch and then designed my hats. If you worked up some hats using my previous pattern, don't fret. Acrylic yarn has about two inches worth of stretch so I am confident they still would stretch to fit, but from now on, I have readjusted my pattern and the sizes above to reflect the guidelines of The Preemie Project.Patterns:1 - 1 1/2 lbs: Chain 5. Join to form a ring. Chain 2. Work 11 DC into the ring. Join. (11 DC)R2: Chain 2. DC into the first DC, 2 DC into each of the next 10 DCs around. Join. (21 DC)R3: Chain 2. 2 DC into the first DC, skip the next two DCs, (3 DC into the next DC, skip the next two DCs) 6x. Join. (7 clusters)R4 - 5: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 6x. Join. (7 clusters)R6: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 6x. Join to the beginning chain 2. (7 clusters)R7: Chain 1. SC into the 1st DC, and the next 20 DCs around. Join. (21 SC)Fasten Off and Weave in Ends.2 - 3 lbs: Chain 4. Join to form a ring. Chain 2. Work 9 DC into the ring. Join. (9 DC)R2: Chain 2. DC into the first DC, 2 DC into each of the next 8 DCs around, DC into the first DC. Join. (18 DC)R3: Chain 2. DC into the first 2 DCs, (2 DC into the next DC, DC into the next DC) 8x, DC into the first DC. Join. (27 DC)R4: Chain 2. 2 DC into the first DC, skip the next two DCs, (3 DC into the next DC, skip the next two DCs) 8x. Join. (9 clusters)R5 - 6: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 8x. Join. (9 clusters)R7: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 8x. Join to the beginning chain 2. (9 clusters)R8: Chain 1. SC into the 1st DC, and the next 26 DCs around. Join. (27 SC)Fasten Off and Weave in Ends.3 - 5 lbs: Chain 5. Join to form a ring. Chain 2. Work 11 DC into the ring. Join. (11 DC)R2: Chain 2. DC into the first DC, 2 DC into each of the next 10 DCs around, DC into the first DC. Join. (22 DC)R3: Chain 2. DC into the first 2 DCs, (2 DC into the next DC, DC into the next DC) 10x, DC into the first DC. Join. (33 DC)R4: Chain 2. 2 DC into the first DC, skip the next two DCs, (3 DC into the next DC, skip the next two DCs) 10x. Join. (11 clusters)R5 - 8: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 10x. Join. (11 clusters)R9: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 10x. Join to the beginning chain 2. (11 clusters)R10: Chain 1. SC into the 1st DC, and the next 32 DCs around. Join. (33 SC)Fasten Off and Weave in Ends.6 - 8 lbs: Chain 4. Join to form a ring. Chain 2. Work 9 DC into the ring. Join. (9 DC)R2: Chain 2. DC into the first DC, 2 DC into each of the next 8 DCs around, DC into the first DC. Join. (18 DC)R3: Chain 2. DC into the first two DCs, (2 DC into the next DC, DC into the next DC) 8x, DC into the first DC. Join. (27 DC)R4: Chain 2. DC into the first three DCs, (2 DC into the next DC, DC into the next two DCs) 8x, DC into the first DC. Join. (36 DC)R5: Chain 2. 2 DC into the first DC, skip the next two DCs, (3 DC into the next DC, skip the next two DCs) 11x. Join. (12 clusters)R6 - 10: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 11x. Join. (12 clusters)R11: Slip stitch over into the next DC, and then into the next space. Chain 2. 2 DC into the same space, (3 DC into the next space) 11x. Join to the beginning chain 2. (12 clusters)R12: Chain 1. SC into the 1st DC, and the next 35 DCs around. Join. (36 SC)Fasten Off and Weave in Ends.A set of these hats work up in less than an hour and a half, and don't take much yarn. Please take time to work up at least a set, and send in to eitherThe Preemie Projector your local baby hospital.

Please feel free to make and sell your own Chunky-Like Preemie Granny Square Beanies using this pattern, but please DO NOT claim this pattern as your own nor should you sell my pattern, and DO NOT re-publish my photos as your own. DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, link to it instead.

Visit the EyeLoveKnots Etsy Shop to see what I have available! Use the search box to type in what you have in mind, or feel free to send me a message with your custom request. I am happy to make in any custom size and/or color. View color options here: Soft.Adsense:

This Month's Giveaway is sponsored by EyeLoveKnots (that's me!). One winner will receive two skeins of Yarn Bee's Andres Alpaca Yarn in the Foxglove colorway! In last month's link up, someone said they'd love to see some Alpaca (or Yak) yarn, so here I am to deliver! This yarn is so soft! And the colorway is close to Lavender, which I thought would be perfect for the upcoming Spring season. This is a worsted weight #4 yarn, of 120 yards/100 grams per skein, and is comprised of 70% Acrylic and 30% Alpaca.

Must be 18 or older to enter. Open to all countries. Void where prohibited. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email notification, or another winner will be chosen. EyeLoveKnots is responsible for prize fulfillment.

New Granny-Spiration Projects will be shared from your hosts the first Saturday of each month. Post times will vary. You will be able to link up from 9am EST on the first Saturday of the month, through 11:59pm EST on the second Thursday from the start date - specific dates are on top of the Rafflecopter form - giving you almost two weeks to link up and enter the giveaway!Please share projects that are family friendly, and GRANNY INSPIRED through use of regular granny square or solid granny square, granny stitch pattern or other afghan square in the form of a free pattern, pattern review, or inspiration piece. Not limited to crochet or knit.Please make sure to link to your post, and not your home page. *If you don't have a blog, you can still share with us by creating a Free Flickr Account - powered by Yahoo. Add your projects there, and then come back here with the link for the project.*Link ups cannot be to Etsy listings or Ravelry pages where patterns are sold. You can link to blog posts, Flickr or Facebook pages, Pins, etc that are directed towards it, but can't directly link to it. To be clearer though, Raverly pages of finished projects are okay to share. Sorry for the inconvenience! That's per InLinkz guidelines. Thanks!Features may be chosen at the discretion of each host. By linking up, you give us permission to feature your item.

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My Whirlpool Coin Purse can be found in February 2018, Issue 41 of the Pattern Pack Pro. This issue features five coin purses! If you don't already subscribe to the Pattern Pack Pro, it's a great monthly crochet magazine that focuses specifically on a type of project to help build your repertoire. Click this image to subscribe now - this contains an affiliate link, meaning if you subscribe using it, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, PLUS! You get a discount by subscribing through my link.

Hello There!

Confession - I am a craft, coffee and cat addict! I love to crochet, make my own jewelry, make cards and invitations, hand write letters, paint, draw, do my nails, hang out on Pinterest, visit with other bloggers, share projects, bake, play with my cat Shiloh... The list goes on and on! Pleasure to meet you, and thanks for joining the journey! Craftedly Yours, Alexandra.

Sharing Policy

I love when you share my projects and recipes! But please be respectful.

Do not copy and paste my posts anywhere, rather you should link to them.

Do not sell my patterns or posts!

You may use one photo with link back when sharing my photos.

Some of my photos are not intended to be shared outside of the blog post, and that is why I have disabled the pinning option within them. These are mostly photos of my family, or the process of working up a project. Please be respectful and do not share these photos without permission from me.

Feel free to sell items made from my patterns and tutorials. Designer credit and a link back is very much appreciated, but not required.

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